Circuit Note
CN-0036
Circuit Designs Using Analog Devices Products
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Devices Connected/Referenced
AD5426/AD5432/
AD5443
8-Bit/10-Bit/12-Bit Multiplying
DACs
AD8066
Dual, High Performance FastFETTM
Amplifier
Precision, Bipolar Configuration for the
AD5426/AD5432/AD5443 8-Bit to12-Bit DACs
This circuit is a bipolar, precision dc DAC configuration that
employs a precision multiplying DAC and a low noise
operational amplifier (op amp). The DAC is the coreprogrammable element and the amplifier selection dictates the
performance in terms of precision or speed. For an accurate,
high precision, low noise application, a dual op amp such as the
AD8066 can be used to provide the current-to-voltage
conversion and the bipolar output.
This circuit uses the ADR01, which is a high accuracy, high
stability, 10 V precision voltage reference. The reference is
connected to the VREF input of the circuit in Figure 1. Because
voltage reference temperature coefficient and long-term drift
are primary considerations for applications requiring highprecision conversion, this device is an ideal candidate.
R3
20kΩ
VDD1 = 5.0V
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
Using a single op amp, this circuit can be configured to provide
2-quadrant multiplying operation. When a single op amp (A1)
is connected, the output voltage of A1 is given by
VOUT(A1) = − VREF × (D/2N)
where D is the digital word loaded to the DAC and N is the
number of bits: D = 0 to 255 (8-bit AD5426), D = 0 to 1023
(10-bit AD5432), and D = 0 to 4095 (12-bit AD5443).
In some applications, it may be necessary to generate a full
4-quadrant multiplying operation or a bipolar output swing.
This can easily be accomplished by using another external
amplifier (A2) and some external resistors, as shown in
Figure 1. In this circuit, the second amplifier, A2, provides a
gain of 2. Biasing the external amplifier with an offset from the
reference voltage results in a full 4-quadrant multiplying
operation. The transfer function of this circuit shows that both
negative and positive output voltages are created as the input
data, D, is incremented from code zero (VOUT = − VREF) to
midscale (VOUT = 0 V) to full scale (VOUT = + VREF). The
equation for VOUT is given by
VOUT = VREF × (D/2N-1) − VREF
where D is the digital word loaded to the DAC and N is the
number of bits: D = 0 to 255 (8-bit AD5426); D = 0 to 1023
(10-bit AD5432); and D = 0 to 4095 (12-bit AD5443).
R5
20kΩ
R2
VDD = +12V
VDD
VREF
±10V
R1
VREF
AD5426/
AD5432/
AD5443
C1
RFB
IOUT1
VDD = +12V
A1
A1
R4
10kΩ
IOUT2
A2
VOUT = –VREF
TO + VREF
SYNC SCLK SDIN GND
VSS = –12V
MICROCONTROLLER
VSS = –12V
AGND
NOTES
1. R1 AND R2 ARE USED ONLY IF GAIN ADJUSTMENT IS REQUIRED. ADJUST R1 FOR
VOUT = 0V WITH CODE 10000000 LOADED TO DAC.
2. MATCHING AND TRACKING IS ESSENTIAL FOR RESISTOR PAIRS R3 AND R4.
3. C1 PHASE COMPENSATION (1pF TO 2pF) MAY BE REQUIRED IF A1/A2 IS A
HIGH SPEED AMPLIFIER.
08270-001
CIRCUIT FUNCTION AND BENEFITS
Figure 1. Bipolar, Precision DC Conversion
(Simplified Schematic)
The supply voltage of the op amp limits the reference voltage
that can be used with the DAC. An op amp’s bias current and
offset voltage are both important selection criteria for precision
current output DACs. Therefore, this circuit employs the
AD8066 op amp, which has ultralow offset voltage (0.4 mV
typical) and bias current (2 pA typical).
The input offset voltage of the op amp, A1, is multiplied by the
variable noise gain (due to the code-dependent output
resistance of the DAC) of the circuit. A change in this noise gain
between two adjacent digital codes produces a step change in
the output voltage due to the amplifier’s input offset voltage.
This output voltage change is superimposed on the desired
change in output between the two codes and gives rise to a
differential linearity error that, if large enough, could cause the
Rev. A
“Circuits from the Lab” from Analog Devices have been designed and built by Analog Devices
engineers. Standard engineering practices have been employed in the design and construction of
each circuit, and their function and performance have been tested and verified in a lab environment
at room temperature. However, you are solely responsible for testing the circuit and determining its
suitability and applicability for your use and application. Accordingly, in no event shall Analog
Devices be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages due to
any cause whatsoever connected to the use of any“Circuit from the Lab”. (Continued on last page)
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Tel: 781.329.4700
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Fax: 781.461.3113 ©2008–2009 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.
CN-0036
Circuit Note
DAC to be nonmonotonic. In general, the input offset voltage
should be a fraction of an LSB to ensure monotonic behavior
when stepping through codes. For the 12-bit AD5443, the LSB
size is 10 V/212 = 2.44 mV, while the input offset voltage of the
AD8066 is only 0.4 mV.
Excellent grounding, layout, and decoupling techniques must be
used for proper operation of the circuit. All power supply pins
should be decoupled directly at the pin with a low inductance,
0.1 µF ceramic capacitor. The connection to ground should be
directly to a large area ground plane. Additional decoupling
using a 1 µF to10 µF electrolytic capacitor is recommended on
each power supply where it enters the PC board. The
decoupling capacitors are not shown in Figure 1 for simplicity.
COMMON VARIATIONS
The OP2177 is another excellent dual op amp candidate for the
I-V conversion circuit. It also provides a low offset voltage
(15 µV typical) and ultralow bias current (0.5 nA typical). The
ADR02 and ADR03, with 5.0 V and 2.5 V output respectively,
are other low noise references available from the same reference
family as the ADR01. Another family of low noise references
that would be suitable are the ADR441 and ADR445 products.
Note that the value of the reference input voltage, VREF, is
restricted by the rail-to-rail output voltage swing of the
operational amplifier selected.
LEARN MORE
MT-015 Tutorial, Basic DAC Architectures II: Binary DACs.
Analog Devices.
MT-031 Tutorial, Grounding Data Converters and Solving the
Mystery of AGND and DGND. Analog Devices.
MT-033 Tutorial, Voltage Feedback Op Amp Gain and
Bandwidth. Analog Devices.
MT-035 Tutorial, Op Amp Inputs, Outputs, Single-Supply, and
Rail-to-Rail Issues. Analog Devices.
MT-101 Tutorial, Decoupling Techniques. Analog Devices.
Voltage Reference Wizard Design Tool. Analog Devices.
Data Sheets
AD5426 Data Sheet.
AD5432 Data Sheet.
AD5443 Data Sheet.
AD8066 Data Sheet.
ADR01 Data Sheet.
ADR02 Data Sheet.
ADR03 Data Sheet.
ADR441 Data Sheet.
ADR445 Data Sheet.
OP2177 Data Sheet.
ADIsimPower Design Tool. Analog Devices.
REVISION HISTORY
Kester, Walt. 2005.The Data Conversion Handbook. Analog
Devices. Chapters 3 and 7.
7/09—Rev. 0 to Rev. A
Updated Format .................................................................. Universal
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©2008–2009 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
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CN08270-0-7/09(A)
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